The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song

The Black Church in America is a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the role of African American religion in shaping the country's history, culture, and politics.

Written by renowned historian Henry Louis Gates Jr., this book delves into the complex and multifaceted relationship between the Black Church and the larger freedom struggle in America, from the intersection of Christianity and the transatlantic slave trade to today's political landscape. Through a series of engaging and insightful chapters, Gates reveals how the Black Church has served as a center of resistance to slavery and white supremacy, a magnet for political mobilization, an incubator of musical and oratorical talent that transformed the culture, and a crucible for working through the Black community's most critical personal and social issues. With a focus on the experiences of ordinary people, Gates offers a nuanced and compelling portrait of the Black Church as a source of strength, hope, and inspiration in the face of adversity.

This book is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the role of African American religion in shaping America's past, present, and future.